WhatsApp usIt began with an enquiry about a small but remarkable skeleton sculpture.
Carved from bone and full of personality, the figure was captured mid-stride, carrying a basket of skulls in a characterful expression of memento mori. Time, however, had taken its toll. The spine had broken, the feet were beginning to come loose, and earlier repairs were starting to fail.
From the first photographs, it was clear that this was a delicate object, but also one well worth saving. Beneath the damage, the sculpture retained its charm, craftsmanship and presence. After years of waiting, it was finally time to restore the figure and return it to display once more.
A Short History of Memento Mori & Bone Carving
Skeleton imagery has long been associated with memento mori, reminding viewers of mortality and the passage of time. In Europe, from the medieval period onwards, skeletons and skulls appeared in fine art, decorative objects and devotional pieces as prompts to reflect on the fragility of life.
Similar ideas also appear across Asian art. In Japan, skeletons feature in folklore, religious imagery and popular art, from illustrated books and woodblock prints to theatrical visual culture. They are often shown not simply as symbols of death, but as animated figures – sometimes eerie, sometimes playful. They reflected wider ideas of impermanence and transience.
Above: detail from a Dutch engraving, late 15th century
During the 18th and 19th centuries, bone carving became closely associated with maritime craft traditions. Sailors, especially whalers, carved objects from whale bone and baleen during long voyages, in a practice now known as scrimshaw.
Across the world, bone and ivory were used for small-scale carvings and ornaments in folk art. Many examples sit between between the themes of death, religion and curiosity.
Above: a selection of antique memento mori inspired carvings including a German rosary (16th century), wooden and ivory netsuke (19th century), bronze spice box (17th century) and a Netherlandish Rosary Terminal Bead that depicts lovers on one side and death on the other (16th century)
Identifying Bone Antiques
Identifying the material of an antique is important for both collecting and conservation. Bone, ivory, antler and whale materials can look similar, but each has distinct characteristics. Correct identification matters because these materials age differently and respond in different ways to handling, humidity and treatment.
Bone is usually porous, with tiny dark dots or channels visible on the surface. It often has a slightly matte finish and an uneven natural patina.
Ivory is denser, smoother and more uniform in colour, without the visible pores seen in bone. It may show faint cross-hatched lines and often has a more polished appearance.
Antler can resemble bone, but it tends to have a tougher outer surface and a more irregular internal structure. When carved, it may look slightly more layered or striated.
Whale Bone is often smoother and denser than ordinary bone, while baleen is quite different again: darker, fibrous and layered.
Assessing the Damage
Once the skeleton arrived at our London studio, a full condition assessment revealed the extent of the issues. The most significant concern was a complete break in the spine, which compromised the entire structure. Additional problems included:
- Adhesive residue around the spine from earlier repair attempts
- A broken basket handle, previously repaired unsuccessfully
- Loose ankles, with visible pins from past interventions
- Unstable feet, with brittle adhesive failing beneath the base
- General instability due to the sculpture’s top-heavy construction
Despite these issues, the piece retained all of its original components, making a successful restoration highly achievable.
Restoring Antique Bone
The restoration of bone sculptures requires a specialist approach, particularly where structural repairs are involved. Bone is a unique material to conserve – light yet brittle, with a subtle surface sheen that can easily be disrupted by overhandling or inappropriate adhesives. Treatment began with careful preparation. Old adhesive residues were reduced, particularly under the feet and around earlier joins, so that new repairs would be stable and conservation-appropriate.
The spine required the most significant work. To strengthen it without affecting the appearance, our conservator inserted an internal dowel to reinforce the break from within – an approach often used in bone conservation to provide strength while minimising visible intervention. Throughout treatment, the sculpture was supported using soft, non-invasive materials, including a box of rice grains. This allows fragile elements to be held securely without pressure or the risk of falling onto a hard surface.
Above: individual pieces can be safely held in rice to keep them in position
The basket handle was then repaired, while the ankles and feet were stabilised. Earlier repair pins were assessed and retained where useful for support. Losses and joins were filled and refined, and subtle retouching helped reduce the visibility of the repairs.
Following treatment, the skeleton was once again stable and visually accurate. The spine is secure, the joints strengthened, and the basket restored. As a conservation repair, the aim was not to make it look brand new, but to ensure it can continue its life as a coherent visual object that can be admired and preserved.
This bone skeleton is more than a decorative object – it is part of a long tradition of memento mori, combining symbolism, craftsmanship and storytelling.
Through careful conservation, we were able to stabilise a fragile structure, respect its history and return it to a condition where it can once again be displayed and appreciated. After years of waiting, he now stands once more, still carrying his basket and still quietly reminding us of the passage of time.
Caring for Bone Sculptures
Bone is a sensitive and reactive material, requiring careful handling and a stable environment to ensure long-term preservation.
We recommend:
- Displaying in a protective case, particularly for fragile or top-heavy objects
- Maintaining a stable environment (ideally 45–55% relative humidity)
- Avoiding direct sunlight and strong artificial light
- Handling minimally, and always supporting the object fully
- Dusting gently with a soft, dry brush – avoiding liquids or cleaning products
If you have any concerns about a bone sculpture in your care, please speak to our team by filling out the form below. We can offer cleaning services, as well as full repairs to broken or missing pieces.
Contact Our Team
As part of our service we offer a nationwide collection and delivery service as well as information on worldwide shipping to our studio.
